Signs of a bad or faulty anti-lock relay
If the Check Engine or ABS lights come on, or unexpected wheel lockup occurs, you may need to replace the anti-lock relay.
The ABS system is a mandatory safety feature found on all late model vehicles. It serves to slow the vehicle and prevent wheel lockup and tire slippage during hard braking. As is the case with most modern car systems, the ABS system is electronic in nature and uses an electronic relay to provide power. The job of the ABS relay is to supply power to the ABS module, the pump and the rest of its components so that they can successfully perform their task.
Since the ABS relay supplies power to the entire system when it is faulty or has problems, this problem can quickly spread to the rest of the system, so it should be serviced as soon as possible. Usually, when the ABS relay fails, the vehicle will display several symptoms that may alert the driver to a possible problem.
Check engine light / ABS light on
One of the first signs of a bad ABS relay is a lit Check Engine or ABS light. If the computer detects that the relay is faulty or giving abnormal readings, it will activate the Check Engine or ABS light to alert the driver to a potential problem. The Check Engine and ABS lights can come on for a variety of reasons, so scanning your computer for trouble codes can help shed some light on what the exact problem might be.
Unexpected wheel lockup due to ABS failure
Another symptom of an ABS sensor problem is a non-functioning ABS system. If the ABS sensor fails or malfunctions, the entire ABS system will be de-energized and unable to function, sometimes without the ABS or Check Engine Light activating. The vehicle may still brake normally, however, ABS braking assistance will be disabled, which may make the vehicle more susceptible to wheel lockup and tire slippage during heavy braking and slippery conditions.
The ABS system is an important safety feature found in almost all modern vehicles and, as with most automotive systems, it is powered through a relay. For this reason, if you suspect that your ABS system may be malfunctioning or you need to replace your anti-lock relay, a professional technician from AvtoTachki, for example, can diagnose the vehicle and determine what repairs are needed.
